THROUGH THE CROSS HISTORY Luke 23:33

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Gal 4:4-5

It’s a simple description of a historic event. It became the dividing line of history.

What’s the meaning of the cross as a banner and symbol? The Church bows to the authority of Jesus teaching, but it’s not the text that is it’s symbol. While the Church holds to the sinless life of Jesus, it’s not a lily that serves as her emblem. The Church celebrates His birth in Bethlehem’s manger, but neither baby nor cradle serve her as symbols. It’s because the central issue in Christianity is the death of Jesus. –Jesus Christ, Son of Man, Son of God, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

They Crucified Him Because He was Willing

Earlier Jesus had said,...I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. – Jn 10:17-18

As Jesus commanded Peter to put away his sword, he said: Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" – Mt 26:53

If Jesus had not chosen to walk the Via Dolorosa, all the cunning of Judas, nor the craftiness of Caiaphas, nor the callousness of Herod, nor the cowardice of Pilate, could ever have put Him on the cross.

He chose the road down which sin and hate and pain and heartbreak were sure to meet Him.

They Crucified Him Because It Was Necessary

Voluntary - Compulsory It sounds contradictory, but it’s not. The cross was a compulsion of love. Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – Jn 10:11 Jesus went to the cross intentionally – As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. – Lk 9:51 St. Paul points out that, God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom 5:8

A righteous God could have destroyed the sinful human race. But that does not reflect the character of God.

Love – together with the message of the cross results in both Justice and Mercy. God, being the God that He is - Holy yet compassionate And Man, being the man he is – with a capacity for righteousness but lost in sin, Makes the cross a moral necessity.

So, the cruel mockery is true – in a sense "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! – Lk 23:35 The very reason his enemies cite, is the reason Jesus cannot come down from the cross. He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

They Crucified Him And Redemption Is Available Since

The sufferings of Jesus differed in kind and in measure from ours. As the Son of Mary He suffered much like we do. But as the Son of God He suffered in a way impossible for us.

“He borrowed a manger...a robe...a tomb. But the cross was his own.” No it wasn’t… The cross was ours Yours & Mine

Jesus is our Redeemer and this is the Good News of the Gospel: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." – Gal 3:13

They Crucified Him And We Have A Pattern For How To Live.

Followers of Jesus must live by the same governing principle. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.– 1 Pe 2:21 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. – 1 Jn 3:16

So In Conclusion We See That...

the Cross... rooted in the time and place of history; rises to relevance in all time and place.

What place does the Cross have in your life? The death of the Redeemer, so voluntary, so necessary, so exemplary, lays its sacred hand upon us and claims us for God. Do something about it! –Crawl to it on your knees and find salvation at its feet. –Renounce all self-righteousness and rest in the infinite mercy mediated by the crucified Son of God. But then take up your cross and rescue another who also needs salvation and Eternal Life.